St. Barnabas 21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 8/21/16 Rev. Adrian McHugh, Pastor Rev. Charles Omotu Rev. Francis Agyeman Rev. Kevin Gruber Deacon Bernard F. Sherlock St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School Principal, Ms. Leeann Graziose 516-785-5709 St. Barnabas Christian Formation Mrs. Marjorie Lampert 516-785-0130 Social Ministry Mrs. Alice Witt 516-785-6243 Music Ministry Mr. William R. Dione Youth Ministry Mrs. Margaret Harnisch Business & Personnel Mr. John G. Nappi www.stbarnabasny.org Find us on Facebook RECTORY OFFICE 2320 Bedford Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710 516-785-0054 Fax: 516-221-7789 Monday - Thursday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; (Closed Weekdays: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM) Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Emergency Only: 516-280-0359 MASS TIMES Monday to Friday: 6:30 and 9:00 AM Saturday: 8:00 AM Vigil : 4:30 & 7:00 PM Sunday: 7, 9, 10:15, 10:30 AM, 12 Noon & 5PM Confessions Saturday 12.30PM Contact the Rectory Office for information on the Sacraments of Baptism, Matrimony & Anointing.
St. Barnabas the Apostle Twenty First Week in Ordinary Time Monday, August 22 The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mother 6:30 AM Rev. William Ratigan 4th Pastor of St. Barnabas 9:00 AM Nancy Stabile Paul Dottavio Thanksgiving to St. Anthony & Padre Pio Edward Turner Patricia Reilly Carlo R. Mansueto Tuesday, August 23 6:30 AM Don Kuntz 9:00 AM Mary Murphy & Bernard O Neil Wednesday, August 24 St. Bartholomew 6:30 AM Rhiannon Scott 9:00 AM Deceased Members of the Dorothy Healy Family Thursday, August 25 6:30 AM Santina Barbarotta Sztabnik 9:00 AM Esther & James Leahy & June Leahy Furda Friday, August 26 6:30 AM Eileen Balke 9:00 AM Agnes Schmitt & Teresa Kenny Saturday, August 27 St. Monica 8:00 AM Evelyn Rein Fr. Charles 4:30 PM Kevin & Peter Gokey Angelo Salamone Michael Gilmartin Anne O Dea Mary Ann Napolitano Louise Massaro William Barba Fr. Francis 7:00 PM Francesco Maria & Maria Felice Pagnotta Family Sunday, August 28 Twenty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time Fr. Francis 7:00AM Margaret Quinn Fr. Adrian 9:00AM Jane Lodispoto Fr. Kevin 10:30AM Rose Altomare Fr. Charles 12:00PM For the People of Our Parish Fr. Kevin 5:00PM Elizabeth Gangi We pray for our recently deceased Stephen Donohue Philip McSweeney Carol Marmo Edward J. Heyen Cornelius Clifford Bread & Wine The Eucharistic Bread & Wine for the week will be offered in celebration of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Alice & Paul Camillery. Bulletin Notes To place a notice in our bulletin please e-mail us: Bulletin11710@aol.com. Advertise Why not consider placing an advertisement on our cover? For information call The Church Bulletin at (631)249-4994. 10:15 Mass Returns Sunday, September 18th. Anointing of the Sick The Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated on Saturday, August 27th following the 8:00 AM Mass. The anointing of the sick is a sacrament that strengthens those who are ill, facing surgery, those who are disabled and those in special need of God s healing touch due to chronic physical difficulties. Those wishing to receive the sacrament should sit in the front rows of the church.
Looking Ahead August 22 Pastoral Council September Financial Council September 25 Farewell For Fr. Francis who leaves St. Barnabas on October 9th October 2 Morning of Prayer & Reflection for all Volunteers and Ministers (From 10:15 Mass to 12:30PM) November 1 Mass for all those who died this year November 19 or 20 Thanksgiving for Volunteers and Ministers November Evening of Prayer for World Peace September 7 & 8 Chosen Meetings for Parents of Religious Education 7th & 8th Grade September 11 9/11 Mass of Remembrance September 14 & 15 Chosen Meetings for Parents of Religious Education 7th & 8th Grade September 16 SEAS Block Party September 21 Our first Chosen Meetings for Religious Education 7th & 8th Grade students September 24 Pilgrimage to the National Shrine October 9 Morning of Prayer & Reflection for all Volunteers and Ministers (From 10:15 Mass to 12:30PM) October 13 Parish Golf Outing October 15 & 16 Rite of Welcome for all St. Barnabas 7th Grade Students at all Masses Hospitality to follow to be provided by the Knights of Columbus November 30 Sacrament of Reconciliation for Advent December 1 Sacrament of Reconciliation for Advent December 4 Advent Lessons & Carols December 6 SEAS Advent Sacrament of Reconciliation December 11 St. Barnabas Children s Christmas Pageant December 12 SEAS Nativity Chorus & Christmas Band Concert December 14 & 15 Sacrament of Reconciliation for Advent
I lost my temper! It happened in the parking lot at the gym. The Irish in me came to the surface and I saw red! Why can t I park here in this unmarked place? I wondered. Others do it and get away with it! After all, I ll only be here for an hour. Well, the young man attending the parking lot was having none of it and announced on the intercom that my car would be towed. I was furious and let it be known. Yes, I had read all the warning signs and I do appreciate he was just doing his job, but why not pick on someone else? It took me three days to apologize! Once the dust settled, I was more annoyed with myself that I had lost my temper than I was at having to leave the gym. Just showing up doesn t guarantee you a space. Something of that is addressed in today s gospel when Jesus is asked How many will be saved? Would we be turned or towed away? Could we expect that to happen to us with God? The householder in the story is unfair. Seems he let people enter up to a certain point and then he shut the door in the faces of the next people, and protested that he never knew them. Maybe he once worked in a parking lot! So let s get an answer how many will be saved? Interestingly, Jesus refuses to answer this question directly; he will not give statistics and figures to satisfy human inquisitiveness. His mission was to open the gates of the kingdom to all and urge everyone to enter. But the door to the kingdom is narrow, and it will take energy and commitment to get in; no question of strolling in by chance. God was giving Israel a last chance, through the work of Jesus, for He is the final messenger. One day, and not very long from now, the door will be shut, and then it will be too late. If Jesus is refused, there will be no further opportunity. Those who presume that because they once shared a festive banquet with Jesus they will somehow be all right, will find that there are no promises for those who did not take the chance when it was offered. And there is more shocking facts! Those Gentiles from east and west, north and south, who had over the centuries oppressed, bullied and harried them - might at this rate end up in God s kingdom ahead of them. No one is assured of automatic privilege so listen up. Some who are first will be last, and vice versa. Jesus urgent warnings to his own contemporaries were aimed at the particular emergency they then faced at that time. But we should be aware that all human life is not just a game. Our moral and spiritual choices matter for our eternal salvation. It is still possible to stroll past the open gate to the kingdom of God, only to discover later the depth of our mistake.
Financial Reports The Week at a Glance Sunday: 1:30 PM Baptisms, Church 7:30 PM Al-Anon, School Cafeteria Monday: 7:30 PM Charismatic Prayer Group, Holy Family Chapel 8/16/15: $14,294 8/14/16: $13,499 New Budget: $17,620 Weekend Collections Parish Families Registered: 5,016 Envelopes Mailed: 1,536 Used: 509 Envelopes Used 8/16/15: 492 2016 Catholic Ministries Appeal Goal: $107, 900 Donors: 521 Pledged: $114,894 Received: $97,609.25 Banns of Marriage Christopher Treubig & Alana Salisbury Alberto Peña & Laura DeFrancisci Tuesday: 7:00 PM Family Music, Holy Family Chapel Wednesday: 7:00 PM Rosary Making, Holy Family Chapel 7:30 PM Al-Anon, Rectory Meeting Room Thursday: 7:00 PM Bible Study, Rectory Meeting Room 7:00 PM Knights of Columbus Installation Mass Saturday: 8:00 AM Anointing of the Sick following Mass 12:30 PM Confessions, Church We Pray for the Sick Nicoletta Russo, Meghan Alice Roach, Stephen Rich, Patrick Hoyne, Don Davis, Rosemary Grandwilliams, Louis Romano, Eugene Ryan, Kristin O Halloran, Patricia Merget, Theresa Anselmo, Jacob Daniel Haubeil, Charlie Riiska, Jason Todhunter, John Nalick, Kevin Keegan, Joyce Caggiano, Charles Young, Robert Volpe, Robert Birbiglia, Nicole & Baby Ella McKernan, Rev. Robert Petekiewicz, Dr. Lawton Manderson, Terrie Manderson, George Stockerl, Vic Caliguiri, John Scalia, Kyle Burch, Evelyn LaMont, Angelo Giglio, Sophie Buzzeo, Dolores Trimboli, Cynthia Simpson, Christina Sumperl, Jillian K. Yonker, Bernice Newman, Joann Santarsiero, Kim Loucks, Baby Lucas Spina, Joseph LaPadula, Mary Beth Novello, Lawrence Rottkamp, Robert Wright and Dominick Schiavone
Altar Server Training Training is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 13th and Wednesday, September 14th from 6:00 PM 7:00 PM in the church. If you are in the 4th grade or higher, and would like to serve as an Altar Server please call Fr. Charles at 785-0054 or email charlesomotu@yahoo.com. Altar Server Training Name: Grade: Phone #: Parent s names: Splish Splash Trip Any Altar Servers or Children s Choir Members interested in attending our annual Splish Splash trip on Thursday, August 25th, are asked to contact Fr. Charles at charlesomotu@yahoo.com as soon as possible. Additional tickets are available at $30 each. Tickets are valid until September 5th. St. Barnabas Virtus Training Virtus Training available for coaches, catechists and all volunteers on Saturday, September 10th at 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM in the Holy Family Chapel, and on Friday, September 16th at 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM in the Holy Family Chapel. These sessions are for volunteers who have not already attended a previous session, or who will be beginning to volunteer as a catechist, scout leader, CYO coach or in another ministry this fall. You need to attend only one session. The program lasts about 2 hours. The Virtus Training Program is mandated by the diocese for all parishioners sharing in any form of volunteerism in the parish. Register online at www.virtus.org, first select Registration, when prompted for the organization select Rockville Centre, NY then the session you wish to attend. RCIA Are you considering becoming Catholic? Are you a Catholic interested in being confirmed? Join us for RCIA. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA, is a series of classes that present an adult exploration of the Catholic faith. RCIA is a chance for people to learn the basics of what it means to be Catholic, to ask their burning questions, and to seek ways to more fully open their lives to Jesus Christ. The RCIA group meets every Wednesday evening from September to Easter. This is the primary time commitment, and there may be other commitments depending on what part of the process you re going through. Call the rectory and leave a message for Terry Hubert. Family Music Ministry If you are going into 2nd grade or higher and are interested in joining the 10:15 AM Family Mass Choir, please come to our first practice on Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00 PM in the Holy Family Chapel. Practices are held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM in the Holy Family Chapel. Save the Date The 15th Annual Monsignor Daniel Potterton Golf Outing takes place on Thursday, October 13th at the Lido Golf Club. Bicycle Ride for Charity The Bellmore Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring our Third Annual Bicycle Ride for Charity on September 24th. As we did last year, the proceeds will be donated to the St. Jude Children s Research Hospital. St. Jude s children receive cancer treatment and family accommodations at no charge to the family, a bill is never issued. St. Jude shares its research globally so that others may benefit from their new treatment options. Last year, $8,500 was donated via this event. As was done last year, there will be planned routes of 25, 50 and 100 miles followed by a BBQ for all participants. This year we are reaching out to other churches in Bellmore for participants and support. Raffle tickets will be sold and riders will solicit sponsors to help raise money. Please consider participating or providing financial support when you see us out and about. Contact Ken Yager at toxguy2000@aol.com for further information. Rosary Making Group If you are interested in joining call Melissa at 221-9821 or email melissa.m.mcdevitt@gmail.com
Back to School It has been a long tradition here at St. Barnabas to assist families with back to school needs for the new school year. The children are in need of backpacks and the supplies to fill them. Some of those items include: notebooks, (spiral & marble), loose leaf, binders, folders, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, sharpies, highlighters, rulers, compasses, glue sticks, index cards, scissors, sharpeners, pencil boxes, scotch tape and construction paper. Any donation of supplies, or gift cards would be so helpful to many of our families. Gift cards to Payless Shoes would be another way of assisting with the many back to school expenses. Our collection will continue through the month of August. Please leave your donation in the back of the church, or bring it to the rectory. Thank you for your generosity and support. Respect Life The Rosary Walk for Life is on Monday, August 22nd. Mass starts at 7:00 PM at Maria Regina Church on Jerusalem Ave., Seaford. The Rosary Walk (approx. 1.5 miles down Washington Ave.) follows with Honor Guard & Police Escort ending with Benediction at St. William the Abbot Church on Jackson Ave., Seaford. The walk is held rain or shine! Transportation is available. For additional information, contact Irene Cassillo at 541-6056. Youth Ministry News! Thank you to Fr. Charles for blessing our newly redone Youth Ministry room and the Ham family for all your hard work! This room is complete with new furniture, a flat screen TV and a Wii. We are looking forward to St. Vincent de Paul Society many great times here! Look for our In today s Gospel, Jesus tells us to strive to enter fall schedule coming soon! through the narrow gate. Our call to be disciples and to follow Jesus' demands that we learn to live for the sake of others. As we strive to enter through the narrow gate, let us take the time to thank our friends and family members who helped to make us what we are through their conscious or unconscious influence. We can make a difference when we see the face of God in the poor and needy. Friendly Visitor Program Our St. Vincent de Paul Society is introducing a new program for our homebound seniors and those disabled in the community who would enjoy a visit from one of its members. If you or someone you know is interested and would enjoy the company of a friendly visitor please call the Social Ministry Office at 785-6243.
WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM GRADE 7 Religious Education Grade 7 and 8 Parents and Catechists Information Meeting With Fr. Adrian September 7, 8, 14 or 15 Holy Family Chapel @ 7PM Parents and Catechists need to attend one meeting 2016 2017 Religious Education Grade 7 Grade 8 or THURSDAY 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM GRADE 7 WEDNESDAY 7:00 PM 8:30 PM GRADE 8 or THURSDAY 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM GRADE 8 September 21, 2016 October 5, 2016 October 26, 2016 November 9, 2016 November 30, 2016 January 4, 2017 January 18, 2017 February 1, 2017 February 15, 2017 March 15, 2017 March 29, 2017 September 22, 2016 October 6, 2016 October 20, 2016 November 3, 2016 November 17, 2016 December 15, 2016 January 12, 2017 January 26, 2017 February 9, 2017 March 9, 2017 March 23, 2017 September 28, 2016 October 19, 2016 November 2, 2016 November 16, 2016 December 14, 2016 January 11, 2017 January 25, 2017 February 8, 2017 March 8, 2017 March 22, 2017 April 5, 2017 September 29, 2016 October 13, 2016 October 27, 2016 November 10, 2016 December 1, 2016 January 5, 2017 January 19, 2017 February 2, 2017 February 16, 2017 March 16, 2017 March 30, 2017
If you wish to become a Chosen catechist facilitator for young people preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, please give your name and phone number to St. Barnabas. Eleven Chosen meetings will be held on Wednesday OR Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30PM, in the Holy Family Chapel. Meetings begin with a prayer, an activity, a TV presentation, followed by small group discussion. Each small group will have 8 young members, from Grade 7 or 8! Chosen materials will be supplied. All you have to do is to facilitate a conversation, with provided questions, around the night s topic. Just 11 meetings (one and a half hours each) with eight students. Information Meetings With Fr. Adrian will be held on September 7, 8, 14 or 15 @ 7PM in the Holy Family Chapel. You need to attend just one meeting
Jubilee Year of Mercy Pilgrimage Saturday, September 24, 2016 As part of the celebration of this Jubilee Year of Mercy, please consider participating in the Diocese Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Our parish will be sharing a bus with the parish community of St. Bernard s in Levittown, granting each parish seating for 24 people. The suggested donation per person is $30.00. Schedule of the Day 5:45 AM Bus leaves St. Barnabas parking lot 11:30 AM Approximate arrival time in Washington D.C. 12:00 PM The Angelus 12:10 PM Welcome Msgr. Vito A. Buonanno 12:15 PM Presentation by Christopher Ruddy, Catholic University of America 12:45 PM Lunch (bring your own bag lunch and beverage), Tours and Gift Shop, Private Prayer Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Individual Confessions in the Reconciliation Chapel 2:45 PM Youth Event 3:00 PM Rosary in Word and Song 4:00 PM Celebration of the Eucharist 5:45 PM Departure for return to St. Barnabas Bishop Murphy, joined by his brother bishops, will lead the pilgrimage. The occasion of a pilgrimage is a unique opportunity for fostering faith, conversion and reconciliation. The Diocesan Choir will provide music for the pilgrimage liturgy. Please return the form below to St. Barnabas Rectory, Attn: Pilgrimage 2320 Bedford Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710 Name(s): No. Attending: Telephone No: Email : Parent & Child Program For children ages 2-3 years old. Our Time is a class where a child with a parent can become familiar with the classroom environment while singing songs, doing crafts, reading books, and celebrating God s love together. Class sessions are offered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM from September thru June at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School. Our Time is an affordable way to introduce your child to the classroom environment without the worry of being separated. It allows for the child to be comforted with a parents presence and prepare for entering Pre-K. Our Time is taught by Mrs. Sabina Lamb. Mrs. Lamb is also the leader of the Family Liturgy Music Ministry for Saint Barnabas which performs at the 10:15 AM Family Mass. Space is limited! For more information contact: Sabina Lamb 781-9834 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School 2341 Washington Ave, Bellmore, Visit us at: www.steas.com Call us at 785-5709
The Religious Education Office closes at 1:00 PM on Fridays for the summer. Attention those now going into Level 8: Your Stage 1 projects from Level 7 are past due. Please hand in all outstanding projects. Registration material is available on line. Visit the parish website: www.stbarnabasny.org and click on the Religious Education tab, once on the Religious Education page and click on Registration Material. Please read the cover letter which gives you updated information as well as the Parent Handbook which explains the Religious Education program. If you have a child who will be in First grade in September remember to register them for Religious Education. We need adult volunteers to be Catechists, Substitutes, Hall Monitors and Attendance/Lobby Aides for our Religious Education program starting in the fall. Please call the office to get more information. Catechists needed for: Monday 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM 1 Catechist for Level 1 1 Catechist for Level 3 1 Catechist for Level 5 1 Catechist for Level 6 Tuesdays 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM 1 Catechist for Level 1 1 Catechist for Level 6 Wednesday 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM 1 Catechist for Level 1 Please consider volunteering for the above positions, or the Chosen program. Call Margie in Religious Education at 785-0130 for more information. US Army: General Paul Hurley, PFC David Calame, Jr., PFC Justin Oney, Chaplain Spec Kevin A. Bauer, Major Eric Reid, SPFC Sean Luhman, SPC Andrew Crowley III, Lt. Richard Joseph Holahan, Major Benjamin H. Klimkowski, Staff Sgt. Eric S. Loughran, Staff Sgt. Christopher Price, SPC Kieran Riordan, First Lt Marlene Dwyer, Cpl. Alexandra Caudullo. National Guard: Major James McLean, A1C James Mikowski, Airman First Class Thomas Ruggiero. US Navy: STS Thomas Kerley, Petty Off. ET3 Edward F. Faulkner, GM1 Brian Kopp, Ensign John Connors, HM3 Philip LeSueur MA2 Richard Kaercher, CPO Nicolas Cuervo, Richard E. Feldman, SN Andrew Freire, Joseph Polizzi, Christopher Polizzi. US Marines: Sgt. William D. Loughran, IV, Major Luke T. Holian, Gunnery Sgt. Scott Murray, Corporal Joseph Finno, LCPL Brendan Whelan, PFC Ryan Baranek, Pvt. Brian Hussey, Pvt. Richard Graziano, PFC James Brush, PFC James Owens, PFC William Corrigan., PFC Matthew Maniet. US Air Force: Capt. McLean G. Bethea, Nicholas P. Wright, Rev. Major Timothy Hirten US Merchant Marine: Lt. J.G. Eric Stumpel. US Coast Guard: Lt. J.G. Robert M. Scaduto, Jr. US Peace Corps: Patrick Coons
Forming Consciences For Faithful Citizenship Part II Applying Catholic Teaching To Major Issues: A Summary Of Policy Positions Of The United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer once again to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, our teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. Previous Topics Human Life Promoting Peace Marriage & Family Religious Freedom Preferential Option for the Poor and Economic Justice Health Care Migration Catholic Education 82. Parents the first and most important educators have a fundamental right to choose the education best suited to the needs of their children, including public, private, and religious schools. Government, through such means as tax credits and publicly funded scholarships, should help provide resources for parents, especially those of modest means, to exercise this basic right without discrimination. Students in all educational settings should have opportunities for moral and character formation consistent with the beliefs and responsibilities of their parents. 83. All persons have a right to receive a quality education. Young people, including those who are poor and those with disabilities, need to have the opportunity to develop intellectually, morally, spiritually, and physically, allowing them to become good citizens who make socially and morally responsible decisions. This requires parental choice in education. It also requires educational institutions to have orderly, just, respectful, and non-violent environments where adequate professional and material resources are available. The USCCB strongly supports adequate funding, including scholarships, tax credits, and other means, to educate all persons no matter what their personal condition or what school they attend public, private, or religious. All teachers and administrators deserve salaries and benefits that reflect principles of economic justice, as well as access to resources necessary for teachers to prepare for their important tasks. Services aimed at improving education especially for those most at risk that are available to students and teachers in public schools should also be available to students and teachers in private and religious schools as a matter of justice. Promoting Justice and Countering Violence 84. Promoting moral responsibility and effective responses to violent crime, curbing violence in media, supporting reasonable restrictions on access to assault weapons and handguns, and opposing the use of the death penalty are particularly important in light of a growing "culture of violence." An ethic of responsibility, rehabilitation, and restoration should be a foundation for the reform of our broken criminal justice system. A humane and remedial rather than a strictly punitive approach to offenders should be developed. Such an approach includes supporting efforts that justly reduce the prison population, help people leaving prison to reintegrate into their communities, combat recidivism, promote just
sentencing reform, and strengthen relationships between the police and the communities they serve. Combatting Unjust Discrimination 85. It is important for our society to continue to combat any unjust discrimination, whether based on race, religion, sex, ethnicity, disabling condition, or age, as these are grave injustices and affronts to human dignity. Where the effects of past discrimination persist, society has the obligation to take positive steps to overcome the legacy of injustice, including vigorous action to remove barriers to education, protect voting rights, support good policing in our communities, and ensure equal employment for women and minorities. Care for Our Common Home 86. Care for Creation is a moral issue. Protecting the land, water, and air we share is a religious duty of stewardship and reflects our responsibility to born and unborn children, who are most vulnerable to environmental assault. We must answer the question that Pope Francis posed to the world: "What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?" (Laudato Si', no. 160). There are many concrete steps we can take to assure justice and solidarity between the generations. Effective initiatives are required for energy conservation and the development of alternate, renewable, and cleanenergy resources. Our Conference offers a distinctive call to seriously address global climate change, focusing on the virtue of prudence, pursuit of the common good, and the impact on the poor, particularly on vulnerable workers and the poorest nations. The United States should lead in contributing to the sustainable development of poorer nations and promoting greater justice in sharing the burden of environmental blight, neglect, and recovery. It is important that we address the rising number of migrants who are uprooted from their homeland as a consequence of environmental degradation and climate change. They are not currently recognized as refugees under any existing international convention and are thus not afforded legal protections that ought to be due to them. Our nation's efforts to reduce poverty should not be associated with demeaning and sometimes coercive population control programs. Such an approach is condemned by Pope Francis: Instead of resolving the problems of the poor and thinking of how the world can be different, some can only propose a reduction in the birth rate. At times, developing countries face forms of international pressure which make economic assistance contingent on certain policies of "reproductive health." Yet "while it is true that an unequal distribution of the population and of available resources creates obstacles to development and a sustainable use of the environment, it must nonetheless be recognized that demographic growth is fully compatible with an integral and shared development" (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 483). To blame population growth, instead of an extreme and selective consumerism on the part of some, is one way of refusing to face the issues. It is an attempt to legitimize the present model of distribution, where a minority believes that it has the right to consume in a way which can never be universalized, since the planet could not even contain the waste products of such consumption. Besides, we know that approximately a third of all food produced is discarded, and "whenever food is thrown out it is as if were stolen from the table of the poor" (Catechesis, June 5, 2013). (Laudato Si', no. 50) Our efforts should, instead, focus on working with the poor to help them build a future of hope and opportunity for themselves and their children. Communications, Media, and Culture 87. Print, broadcast, and electronic media shape the culture. To protect children and families, responsible regulation is needed that respects freedom of speech yet also addresses policies that have lowered standards, permitted increasingly offensive material, and reduced opportunities for non-commercial religious programming. 88. Regulation should limit concentration of media control, resist management that is
primarily focused on profit, and encourage a variety of program sources, including religious programming. TV rating systems and appropriate technology can assist parents in supervising what their children view. 89. The Internet offers both great benefits and significant problems. The benefits should be available to all students regardless of income. Because access to pornographic and violent material is becoming easier, vigorous enforcement of obscenity and child pornography laws is necessary, as well as technology that assists parents, schools, and libraries in blocking unwanted or undesirable materials. Global Solidarity 90. The increasing interconnectedness of our world calls for a moral response, the virtue of solidarity. In the words of St. John Paul II, "Solidarity is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good" (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, no. 38). A more just world will likely be a more peaceful world, a world less vulnerable to terrorism and other violence. The United States has the responsibility to take the lead in addressing the scandal of poverty and underdevelopment. Our nation should help to humanize globalization, addressing its negative consequences and spreading its benefits, especially among the world's poor. The United States also has a unique opportunity to use its power in partnership with others to build a more just and peaceful world. The United States should take a leading role in helping to alleviate global poverty through substantially increased development aid for the poorest countries, more equitable trade policies, and continuing efforts to relieve the crushing burdens of debt and disease. US policy should promote religious liberty and other basic human rights. In particular, US policy should promote and defend the rights of religious minorities throughout the world, especially in regions where people of faith are threatened by violence simply because of their faith. The United States should provide political and financial support for beneficial United Nations programs and reforms, for other international bodies, and for international law, so that together these institutions may become more responsible and responsive agents for addressing global problems. Asylum should be afforded to refugees who hold a well-founded fear of persecution in their homelands. Our country should support protection for persons fleeing persecution through safe haven in other countries, including the United States, especially for unaccompanied children, women, victims of human trafficking, and religious minorities. Our country should be a leader in collaboration with the international community in addressing regional conflicts. Leadership on the Israeli- Palestinian conflict is an especially urgent priority. The United States should actively pursue comprehensive negotiations leading to a just and peaceful resolution that respects the legitimate claims and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians, ensuring security for Israel, a viable state for Palestinians, respect for Lebanon's sovereignty, and peace in the region. Defending human life, building peace, combating poverty and despair, and protecting freedom and human rights are not only moral imperatives they are wise national priorities that will make our nation and world safer.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional Catholic School Where we Reach with Respect, Responsibility & Reverence Please visit our website at www.steas.com for all our news and current events REGISTRATION IS STILL GOING ON!! Spaces are still available for the 2016-2017 School Year. Please contact the Main Office for details and to setup a tour of our school. (516) 785-5709 Come visit our exciting Nursery Program! There is still time to sign up for Nursery Class! Our educational and fun curriculum builds the perfect foundation for your child to grow to love learning! Your child will be immersed in a caring environment to make the transition to school fun and exciting! Enroll your 3 & 4 Year-old Today! 516-785-5709 SPIRIT Committee - Please consider using your time & talent to support our school! See available positions on our website or email Daryl Fallon at: dfallon9356@steas.com